Grilled Chicken Tacos with Fresh Salsa

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How to make juicy grilled tacos with lean chicken breast and homemade fresh salsa for a light and festive summer meal.

Dive into this delightful chicken taco recipe featuring savory grilled chicken paired with fresh salsa. Bursting with color, flavor, and texture, these tacos are sure to wow the crowd at your next gathering. Get ready to impress your people with every bite!

Why these are the best grilled chicken tacos

• You'll enjoy a flavor explosion with each bite combining savory grilled chicken and your choice of fresh peach salsa, juicy mango salsa, or vibrant pico de Gallo.
• These tacos are visually appealing, bursting with bright, colorful ingredients that will draw everyone to the table.
• The recipe is easy to make, perfect for grilling beginners, and suitable for a quick dinner or casual party.
• It's customizable, allowing you to swap the proteins and use your favorite Mexican toppings.

Ingredients you'll need

• chicken - I'm using boneless skinless chicken breast for this recipe because it's lean and cooks quickly. You can swap the breasts for boneless skinless chicken thighs and use the same grilling instructions.
• olive oil - A light coating of oil ensures the surface doesn't dry out on the grill and adds a rich flavor to the tacos.
• cumin, salt, and pepper - This is my simple southwest seasoning for chicken tacos, which works well when you're topping them with a colorful fresh salsa.
• corn tortillas - Use white or yellow corn tortillas for this recipe. I prefer the smaller size for street tacos.
• salsa - I always opt for homemade fresh salsa for chicken tacos. But, if packaged salsa is more convenient, go for it!
• corn - This adds a sweet flavor and comforting texture that pairs well with chicken and salsa. Use any corn you prefer.
• Cotija cheese - A salty, crumbly Mexican cheese that seals the deal to flavor these festive tacos.
• fresh cilantro and lime - Use these ingredients to garnish your grilled chicken tacos.

How to make grilled chicken tacos

This grilled chicken taco recipe is a simple and delicious way to enjoy a light, festive meal. You'll find the printable instructions in the recipe card below.

1. I recommend letting the chicken breasts rest for 15-30 minutes at room temperature to remove the chill. This ensures that they cook evenly and efficiently, which prevents them from drying out and makes them even juicier!
2. Next, you'll oil and season the chicken. So easy!
3. Grill the chicken on your preheated grill. Cover and rest the chicken away from the grill for carryover cooking to bring the temperature to 165°F and lock in the juices.
4. Shred the chicken and serve on lightly grilled tortillas, topped with fresh salsa and your choice of toppings.

Recipe Tips

• Chicken size: Choose pieces that are similar in size for consistent cooking times. You can also pound the chicken into equal thickness or cut the chicken into cutlets for quicker cooking.
• Tempering: Resting chicken at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before grilling removes the chill and promotes even heat distribution
• Prep in Advance: Toss the chicken with spices and oil a day or two ahead to enhance the flavor.
• Clean the Grill: Brushing and oiling your hot grill grates before grilling food prevents the food from sticking during the grilling process, which ensures better heat distribution.
• Use Two Sets of Tongs: Dedicate one pair of tongs for raw meat and another for handling the cooked chicken to avoid cross-contamination.
• Rotate for Grill Marks: For professional-looking grill marks, place the chicken at a 45-degree angle to the grates and rotate it halfway through cooking on each side.
• Storage and reheat: Allow the chicken to cool completely. Refrigerate everything in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. To serve, reheat the chicken, warm the tortillas, assemble, add toppings, and devour!

Recipe variations and serving ideas

• Sprinkle my simple taco seasoning blend on the chicken for added TexMex flavor.
• I've included grilling instructions, but you can use any cooked shredded chicken for this grilled taco recipe.
• Include refried black beans or whole cooked black beans for a hearty, protein-packed addition.
• Drizzle my avocado ranch dressing over the tacos for a creamy, tangy twist.
  Swap in homemade blender salsa for a quick, fresh topping.
  Add a dollop of guacamole for extra creaminess and flavor.
  Serve cilantro lime rice on the side or inside the tacos for extra zest.

📖 Recipe